About food grades
Making the grade – the A to E of food hygiene
Our environmental health officers evaluate shops and eateries throughout the city, assessing the standard of premises, food handling and storage practices, cleanliness and staff training.
There is an increased level of public awareness regarding food safety issues, and higher expectations of what is acceptable.
The grades are assigned to food premises during a routine inspection of all food premises in the city and apply for four weeks for B and C graded premises and eight weeks for D and E graded premises, after which time proprietors can apply to be re-evaluated
Some food premises have a food safety programme in place approved by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA). These premises are exempt from being graded by North Shore City Council and are subject to regular audits by the NZFSA. These premises display an 'exempt' grade in our food grading search.
What do the grades mean?
| Grade | Explanation |
|---|---|
A |
High standard of food safety practices |
B |
Satisfactory standard of food safety practices |
C |
Some concerns about food safety practices |
D |
Some serious concerns about food safety practices |
E |
Some critical concerns about food safety practices |
You may also see the following codes in your search results.
| Code | Explanation |
|---|---|
EXEMPT |
New Zealand Food Safety Authority approved food safety programme |
TBG |
Scheduled to be graded at the next inspection [application received from food premise] |
NOGRAD |
Not graded at this time |
The grades are based on the conditions and practices observed on the day of the inspection. They are clearly marked on the registration certificates which must be displayed at the main entrance of all food premises.
We expect all restaurants and shops (that don't have an exemption from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority) to seek the ‘A' grade standard.
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Environmental Health